Four Views on Hell (Counterpoints Series)

Publisher Description

Synopsis:
Four views on what the Scriptures contain regarding the nature of hell are presented in this guide to widely debated biblical interpretation.

Description:
Most contemporary Christians acknowledge the doctrine of hell, but they'd rather not think about how God punishes the wicked. The authors of Four Views on Hell meet this subject head-on with different views on what the Scriptures say.

Is hell to be understood literally as a place of eternal smoke and flames? Or are such images simply metaphors for a real but different form of punishment? Is there such a thing as "conditional immortality," in which God annihilates the souls of the wicked rather than punishing them endlessly? Is there a Purgatory, and if so, how does it fit into the picture?

The interactive Counterpoints forum allows the reader to see the four views on hell - literal, metaphorical, conditional, and purgatorial - in interaction with each other. Each view in turn is presented, critiqued, and defended. This even handed approach is ideal for comparing and contrasting views in order to form a personal conclusion about one of Christianity's key doctrines.

The Counterpoints series provides a forum for comparison and critique of different views on issues important to Christians. Counterpoints books address two categories: Church Life and Exploring Theology. Complete your library with other books in the Counterpoints series.